Key Takeaways:
– Former NFL player Mark Schlereth isn’t convinced that rookie QB Caleb Williams is a ‘generational quarterback.’
– Despite the hype surrounding Williams’ talent, Schlereth insists that being a great quarterback goes beyond current physical abilities.
– Schlereth, a seasoned football analyst, advises Williams to validate his worth on the field.
– The Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus, is preparing Williams intensively for his professional career, using different strategies to keep him efficient.
– Williams has a potent shot at breaking the Bears’ quarterback records if he remains healthy and consistent.
Mark Schlereth, a renowned ex-NFL player, has expressed reservations about Chicago Bears rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams. Schlereth, who triumphed in three Super Bowls and now works as an analyst for Fox Sports, recently shared his doubts about Williams on his ‘Stinkin’ Truth’ podcast. The former offensive lineman challenged the notion that Williams represents a ‘generational quarterback,’ despite his evident talent.
Schlereth’s Stand on ‘Generational Quarterbacks’
In his podcast, Schlereth explained that having a generational talent doesn’t guarantee becoming a generational quarterback. He further illustrated his point by mentioning exceptional quarterbacks such as Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees who were great without necessarily possessing ‘generational talent.’ According to Schlereth, these examples show the clear distinction between innate talent and cultivated greatness in the role of an All-Pro quarterback.
The Road Ahead for Caleb Williams
Schlereth’s viewpoint, while thought-provoking, doesn’t spell doom for Williams. If anything, it presents a challenge for the rookie signal-caller to validate his worth on the field. Williams is considered a ‘generational player’ by some, including Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who referred to as such on a November 2022 episode of “The Herd With Colin Cowherd.”
Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus, has been actively preparing Williams for the professional game. He has arranged for him to practice against the team’s starting secondary. This is part of the strategies to help Williams gain the required exposure and experience.
Breaking Bears QB Records: A High Possibility For Williams?
Given Williams’ prowess, many would place bets on him setting new quarterback records for the Bears, provided he stays fit. Breaking multiple QB records for the team wouldn’t be a monumental task, as per Bill Zimmerman from Windy City Gridiron. The Bears are yet to witness a 4,000-yard passer in a regular season, and Jay Cutler holds the record for passing yardage at 23,443, alongside a record of 154 touchdown passes.
Zimmerman suggests that if Williams maintains, on average, around 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns per season, it’s highly likely that he’d be breaking current Bears records by the time he turns 29.
In conclusion, despite the anticipation and hype surrounding Caleb Williams as a ‘generational player,’ Mark Schlereth opines that true greatness goes beyond talent. It would be interesting to see how Williams, under the guidance of Matt Eberflus, lives up to the expectations and possibly sets new records for the Bears.